Container easy-open means and method of making the same or the like



.3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Aprll 23, 1968 NAv|A CONTAINER EASY-OPEN MEANS AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME on THE LIKE Filed Aug. 2:, 1965 FIGJ m, WM T 3 M r HIS ATTORNEYS FIG.4

April 23, 1968 NAV|A 3,379,333

(.ONTAINER EASY-OPEN MEANS AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME OR THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet :1

Filed Aug. 5, 1966 FIG.6

FIG.5

FIG.I2

lNVEN TOR THOMAS NAVIA FIG] HIS ATTORNEYS T. NAVIA 3,379,333 CONTAINER EASY-OPEN MEANS AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME OR THE LIKE 5 SheetsSheet FIGQII INVENTOR THOMAS NAVIA HIS ATTORNEYS FIGJO United States Patent 3,379,333 CQNTAINER EASY-OPEN MEANS AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME OR THE LIKE Thomas Navia, White Bear Lake, Minn., assignor to Reynolds Metals Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 5, I966, Ser. No. 570,625 30 Claims. (Cl. 220-47) This invention relates to an improved easy-open means for a container or the like as well as to an improved method of making such an easy-open means.

It is well known that many container manufacturers are now providing containers with metallic end closures or the like each having opening means provided therein which the ultimate consumer can readily open without utilizing auxiliary opening devices, such as so-called can openers.

In the past, such easy-open means normally comprises a tear-out section or portion formed on the end closure by scoring thereof with the tear-out portion being attached to a pull tab member which must be grasped by the ultimate consumer and pulled away from the container to tear the tear-out portion therefrom.

It is well known that such prior known pull tab means not only had the apparent disadvantage of providing hazardous edges on the tear-out portion and on the opening produced thereby, but also such discarded torn-out portion causes a hazardous as well as a litter problem.

Accordingly, it is a feature of this invention to provide an easy-open means for a container or the like which completely eliminates the above problems.

Further, it is a feature of this invention to provide an easy-open means for a container or the like wherein the container can be more easily opened than in the past while fully protecting the ultimate consumer from any adverse sharp edges.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved easy-open means for a container or the like, the easy-open means of this invention having one or more of the novel features set forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved container having the easy-open means of this invention.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved method for making such an easy-open means or the like.

Other objects, uses and advantages of this invention are apparent from a reading of this description which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary top perspective view of an improved container of this invention.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on line 22 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on line 3-3 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged top View of the container of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 1 and illustrates the opening means of the container of FIGURE 1 in one of its operating positions.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken on line 66 of FIGURE 5.

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FIGURE 7 is a View similar to FIGURE 5 and illustrates the container of FIGURE 1 in its fully open position.

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross-sectional view taken substantially on the arcuate line 8-8 of FIG- URE 4.

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to FIGURE 4 and illustrates the opening means of this invention being moved between its operating position.

FIGURE 10 is a view similar to FIGURE 9 and illustrates the opening means in still another operating position thereof.

FIGURE 11 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of various parts of the container of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 12 is a View similar to FIGURE 1 and illustrates another embodiment of this invention.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter described and illustrated as being particularly adaptable for providing an easy-open means in an end closure of a cylindrical container or the like, it is to be understood that the various features of this invention can be utilized singly or in any combination thereof to provide opening means for other wall means of other types of containers as desired.

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized to illustrate one of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, the improved container of this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 20 and comprises a substantially cylindrical con tainer body 21 with an upper open end 22 thereof suitably sealed closed by an end closure 23 of this invention.

In particular, the end closure 23 has an outer peripheral bead or flange 24 suitably curled and cirmped to the outer end 22 of the container body 21 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 2 to fully seal closed the open end 22 of the container 21 so that suitable product means can be sealed in the product chamber 25 of the container 20 of this invention.

The other end (not shown) of the container 21 can be closed by an end closure similar to end closure 23 of this invention or any other type of end closure as desired. Of course, the other end of the container body 21 can be formed integrally therewith as desired.

The upper end closure 23 of the container 20 of this invention includes an easy-open means of this invention that is generally indicated by the reference numeral 26.

In particular, the easy-open means 26 of this invention includes an openable portion 27 formed integrally in the flat wall means 28 of the end closure 23 in a manner hereinafter set forth and is adapted to be opened by the ultimate consumer or the like moving a cooperating opening member 29 from the position illustrated in FIGURE 1 to the position illustrated in FIGURE 5 whereby part of the openable portion 27 is simply and effectively separated from the wall means 28 in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6 and can be bent from the position illustrated in FIGURE 5 to the position' illustrated in FIGURE 7 to define a dispensing opening 30 through the end closure 23 for product dispensing purposes. In order to facilitate opening movement of the opening member 29 from the position illustrated in FIGURE 1 to the position illustrated in FIGURE 5, a suitable handle means 31 can be formed integrally with the opening member 29 so that the ultimate consumer can push on the upturned portion 32 thereof with his thumb or the like to move the movable member 29 from the position illustrated in FIG- URE l to the position illustrated in FIGURE 5 with a simple twist motion or the like.

During the movement of the movable member 29 from the position of FIGURE 1 to the position of FIGURE 5, it has been found that the openable portion 27 tends to pop open to the position illustrated in FIGURES 5 and 6 whereby the ultimate consumer can readily grasp the openable portion 27 and move the same to its fully opened position as illustrated in FIGURE 7 whereby the product in the chamber of the container 20 can be readily dispensed out of the dispensing opening thereof by pouring, drinking or the like.

Thus, it can be seen that a simple rotational movement of the opening member 29 of this invention will cause opening of the container 20 and the openable portion 27 thereof will remain hinged to the end closure 23 in a manner hereinafter described to prevent the aforementiond hazardous and litter problems.

The particular details of the easy open means 26 of this invention will now be described.

The fiat wall means 28 of the end closure 23 is provided with an annular recess 33 in any suitable manner. For example, when the end closure 23 is formed from metallic material, such as aluminum-containing metallic material or the like, the recess 33 can be formed therein by stamping, drawing or the like.

The recess 33 is so constructed and arranged that the same defines a continuous and substantially circular outer side wall means 34 while defining a continuous peripheral side wall means 35 of the openable portion 27, the side wall means 34 and 35 being substantially perpendicular to the fiat wall means 28 for a purpose hereinafter described. The continuous side wall means 35 of the openable portion -27 can define any suitable configuration and in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the continuous side wall means 35 of the openable portion 27 defines a substantially equilateral triangle having the corners thereof slightly rounded and the sides thereof slightly arcuate as illustrated.

For example, reference is made to FIGURE 4 wherein the openable portion 27 has three rounded apexes 36, 37 and 38 and slightly arcuate equal sides 39, and 41, the openable portion 27 being so constructed and arranged that the apex 36 thereof is disposed closely adjacent the annular rim 24 of the end closure 23 for a direct drinking purpose hereinafter described.

The bottom of the recess 33 is substantially flat and is designated by the reference numeral 42. The bottom 42,

of the recess 33 is substantially weakened adjacent the penpheral side wall means 35 of the openable portion 27 in any suitable manner. For example, a continuous score 43 can be formed in the bottom 42 of the recess 33 and extend completely around the openable portion 27 adjacent the side wall means 35 thereof except at the medial portion of the side 40 thereof to define a hinge part 44, FIGURE 8, for a purpose hereinafter described.

The score 43 is disposed substantially coplanar with the side wall means 35 of the openable portion 27 and can extend through substantially three-fourths of the thickness of the bottom wall 42 of the recess 33.

In particular, it has been found that when the end closure 23 is formed from aluminum-containing metallic material of approximately 0.015 of an inch thick, the score 43 can cut through approximately 0.011 of an inch thereof whereby only 0.004 of an inch remains unscored to hold the openable portion 27 in its closed position.

The opening member 29 can be formed of any suitable material, such as metallic material or plastic material as desired. For example, when aluminum-containing metallic material is utilized, it has been found that the opening member 29 can be formed from a relatively hard alloy thereof such as Temper Hl8 and can be approximately 0.015 to 0.020 of 'an inch thick. When the opening member is formed of plastic material, such as Lucite or polystyrene, the opening member 29 can be approximately 0.025 of an inch thick.

The opening member 29 has a substantially fiat portion 45 defined by a substantially circular outer peripheral edge 46 having a diameter just slightly smaller than the diameter defining the outer side wall means 34 of the recess means 33 of the end closure 23. An aperture means 47 passes through the flat portion 45 of the opening member 29 and defines a continuous inner edge means 48 thereof which is substantially blunt as illustrated in the drawings and defines a configuration substantially identical to and just slightly larger than the equilateral triangular configuration defined by the side wall means 35 of the openable portion 27.

For example, as illustrated in FIGURE 11, the edge means 48 of the flat portion 45 of the opening member 29 defines a triangular configuration having rounded apexes 49, 50 and 51 and slightly arcuate equal sides 52, 53 'and 54 conforming to the configuration of the sides 39, 40 and 41 of the openable portion 27.

The integral handle means 31 of the opening member 29 has a part 55 that extends upwardly from the fiat portion 45 adjacent the outer peripheral edge 36 thereof and a flat portion 56 extending at substantially right angles relative thereto away from the flat portion 45, the portion 56 having the upturned flange 32 integral therewith and either being straight as illustrated in the drawings or being arcu'ate to conform to the contour of a thumb or the like adapted to push against the same as desired.

In this manner, it can be seen that the opening member 29 is adapted to be readily disposed in the recess 33 in the manner illustrated in the drawings and have its outer circular peripheral edge 46 disposed against and in sliding relation with the peripheral side wall means 34 of the recess 33 while the inner edge means 48 thereof is disposed against the peripheral side wall means 35 of the openable portion 27 throughout the entire length thereof.

After the opening member 29 has been initially disposed in the recess 33, the same is held therein in any suitable manner while still permitting rotational movement of the opening member 29 relative to the end closure 23.

For example, the embodiment of the end closure 23 illustrated in the drawings has a plurality of portions 57 thereof disposed in spaced apart, staked relation over the top of the flat portion 35 of the opening member 29 to fully permit rotational movement of the opening member 29 in the recess 33 while preventing removal of the opening member 29 from the recess 33.

With the opening means 29 disposed in the recess 33 in the manner previously set forth, it can be seen that the handle means 31 of the opening member 29 is disposed against the wall means 28 of the end closure 23 and is adapted to move relative thereto whereby the opening member 29 is adapted to be rotated relative to the end closure 23 by the action of its outer peripheral edge means 46 moving relatively and concentrically with the circular edge means 34 of the enclosure 23.

In order to limit movement of the opening member 29 between the positions of FIGURES 1 and 5, suitable raised embossments 58 and 59 can be formed in the wall means 28 of the end closure 23. For example, when the opening member 29 is disposed in the position of FIG- URE l, the embossment 58 is engaged by the handle means 31 so that no counterclockwise movement of the handle means 31 can take place. Thus, the ultimate consumer when desiring to open the container 20 of this invention must move the handle means 31 in a clockwise direction from the position illustrated in FIGURE 5 whereby the handle means 31 will abut the other embossment 59 to prevent further clockwise rotation of the opening member 29.

Alternately and/or additionally, adjacent stake portions 57 of the end closure 23 can be so constructed and arranged that the same will limit movement of the opening means 29 between the positions illustrated in FIGURES l and 5 by cooperating with the handle means 31 in much the same manner as the embossments 58 and 59 previously described.

When the ultimate consumer desires to open the container of this invention, the ultimate consumer merely pushes against the handle portion 31 of the opening member 29 to rotate the same from the initial position illustrated in FIGURE 1 to the position illustrated in FIGURE 5. As the opening member 29 begins to rotate from the position illustrated in FIGURE 1, it can readily be seen in FIGURE 9 that the sides 53, 54 and '52 thereof begin to move inwardly relative to the respective apexes 38, 36 and 37 of the side wall means of the openable portion 27 to separate the same from the bottom 42 of the recess 33 at the score 43.

Further rotation of the opening member 29 in the clockwise direction of FIGURE 9 causes the side 53 of the blunt inner edge means 43 of the opening member 29 to progressively move from the apex 38 down along the sides and 41 of the side wall means 35 of the openable portion 27, the side 54 of the blunt edge means 48 to progressively move down along the sides 41 and 39 of the side wall means 35 and the side 52 of the edge means 48 to progressively move down the sides 39 and 40 of the side wall means 35 of the openable portion 27 to progressively separate the sides 39, 40 and 41 of the openable portion 27 from the end wall means 23 at the score line 43.

Because the edge means 48 is substantially blunt and progressively forces itself underneath or between the openable portion 27 and the bottom 42 of the recess 33 in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 9 and 10, the point of separation or pull of the side wall means 35 of the openable portion 27 from the end wall means 23 extends beyond the actual position of the edge means 48 crossing the score 43 so that a tear propagation exists in advance of the edge means 48 of approximately one-half of an inch.

Thus, when the opening member 29 has been rotated to the position illustrated in FIGURE 10, such tear propagation of the cutting edge 48 relative to the side wall means 35 of the openable portion 27 has caused the side wall means 35 to be completely separated from the end wall means 23 about the entire periphery thereof except at the unscored area 44 which resists such tear propagation.

Accordingly, when the opening member 29 has been rotated to the position illustrated in FIGURE 10, the openable portion 27 is substantially popped open to the position illustrated in FIGURE 5 whereby the ultimate consumer can grasp the same adjacent the apex 36 thereof and bend the some backwardly to the position illustrated in FIGURE 7 whereby the resulting opening 30 through the end wall means 23 is fully exposed for dispensing purposes.

However, it can be seen that with the opening member 29 in the position illustrated in FIGURE 7, the fiat portion 45 thereof substantially overlies the resulting peripheral edge of the opening 30 whereby the opening member 29 will space a persons lips from the peripheral edge 60 of the opening 30 should that person desire to drink from the opening 30 in a conventional manner. Thus, the persons lips are fully protected from any rough parts on the edge 60 of the opening 30.

Further, it can be seen that as the blunt edge means 48 of the opening member 49 not only causes the peripheral side wall means 35 of the openable portion 27 to separate from the bottom 42 of the end closure 23, but also the blunt edge means 48 tends to fold back the pe- 6 ripheral side wall means 35 in the manner illustrated in FIGURES 6 and 7 so that no ragged edge or the like will be exposed to the users fingers or the like.

Accordingly, it can be seen that the easy open means 26 of this invention permits the ultimate consumer to effectively and simply open the container 20 by causing a slight rotational movement of the opening member 29 relative thereto with the openable portion 27 still being integrally hinged to the end closure 23 by the unscored portion 44 thereof so that such openable portion 27 will not cause the aforementioned hazardous and litter problems.

Further, the opening member 29 of this invention serves the additional function of substantially protecting the users lips and the like from any sharp edges on th peripheral portion 60 of the resulting opening 30 through the end wall means 23.

While one form of handle means 31 has been illustrated and described for the easy open means 26 of this invention, it is to be understood that other handle means and the like can be utilized to facilitate rotational movement of the opening means 29 of this invention.

For example, reference is made to FIGURE 12 wherein another container of this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 20A and parts thereof similar to the container 20 previously described are indicated by like reference numerals followed by the reference letter A.

As illustrated in FIGURE 12, the container 20A is substantially identical to the container 20 previously described, except that the easy-open means 26A thereof is formed substantially centrally in the end closure 23A and the opening member 29A has two handle portions 31A extending outwardly therefrom in diametrically opposed positions so that the ultimate consumer can place fingers against both handle means 31A and cause a twisting motion thereto to rotate the opening member 29A for the purpose previously described.

Further, while the openable portion 27 of this invention has previously been described and ilustrated as having a configuration of a substantially equilateral triangle, it is to be understood that other configurations may be utilized to function in the same manner as the openable portion 27 previously described.

Accordingly, not only does this invention provide easyopen means for container wall means or the like, but also this invention provides improved methods for making easy-open means or the like.

While the form of the invention now preferred has been disclosed as required by the statutes, other forms may be used, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. A container having wall means defining a chamber therein for containing product means, said wall means having an openable portion, and opening means movably carried by said wall means and having edge means cooperable with said openable portion to separate at least part of said openable portion from said wall means upon movement of said opening means from one position thereof to another position thereof whereby said separated part of said openable portion defines an opening through said wall means for dispensing said product means from said chamber.

2. A container as set forth in claim 1 wherein said opening means has a portion thereof that is superimposed on part of said opening to provide spacing means between the lips of the user and the edge of said opening when said opening means is in said other position thereof.

3. A container as set forth in claim 1 wherein said opening means is rotatably mounted to said wall means.

4. A container as set forth in claim 1 wherein said wall means has a recess means formed therein and surrounding said openable portion, said opening means being received in said recess means and being movable therein from said one position thereof to said other posi tion thereof.

5. A container as set forth in claim 4 wherein said wall means has portion means thereof disposed over said opening means to hold said opening means in said recess means while permitting relative movement between said opening means and said wall means.

6. A container as set forth in claim 4 wherein said opening means has aperture means passing therethrough and opening said edge means thereof, said openable portion of said wall means initially projecting through said aperture means when said opening means is in said one position thereof.

7. A container as set forth in claim 6 wherein said openable portion has outer continuous peripheral side wall means and wherein said edge means of said opening means is continuous and engages said side wall means throughout the length thereof when said opening means is in said one position thereof.

8. A container as set forth in claim 7 wherein said wall means is weakened adjacent said side wall means of said openable portion.

9. A container as set forth in claim 8 wherein said wall means is provided with a score therein that is disposed coplanar with said side wall means of said openable portion to weaken said wall means adjacent said openable portion, said score extending around said openable portion except at one part thereof whereby said one part hinges said openable portion to said wall means after said openable portion has said other part thereof separated from said wall means by said opening means having been moved to said other position thereof.

10. A container as set forth in claim 9 wherein said opening means has handle means extending therefrom for facilitating movement of said opening means from said one position thereof to said other position thereof.

11. An end closure for a container or the like, said end closure having an openable portion, and opening means movably carried by said end closure and having edge means cooperable with said openable portion to separate at least a part of said openable portion from said end closure upon movement of said opening means from one position thereof to another position thereof whereby said separated part of said openable portion defines an opening through said end closure.

12. An end closure as set forth in claim 11 wherein said opening means has a portion thereof that is superimposed on part of said opening to provide spacing means between the lips of the user and the edge of said opening when said opening means is in said other position thereof.

13. An end closure as set forth in claim 11 wherein said opening means is rotatably mounted to said end closure.

14. An end closure as set forth in claim 11 wherein said end closure has a recess means formed therein and surrounding said openable portion, said opening means being received in said recess means and being movable therein from said one position thereof to said other position thereof.

15. An end closure as set forth in claim 14' wherein said end closure has portion means thereof disposed over said opening means to hold said opening means in said recess means while permitting relative movement between said opening means and said end closure.

16. An end closure as set forth in claim 14 wherein said opening means has aperture means passing therethrough and defining said edge means thereof, said openable portion of said end closure initially projecting through said aperture means when said opening means is in said one position thereof.

17. An end closure as set forth in claim 16 wherein said openable portion has an outer continuous peripheral side wall means and wherein said edge means of said opening means is continuous and engages said side wall 8 means throughout the length thereof when said opening means is in said one position thereof.

18. An end closure as set forth in claim 17 wherein said end closure is weakened adjacent said side wall means of said openable portion.

19. An end closure as set forth in claim 13 wherein said end closure is provided with a score therein that is disposed coplanar with said side wall means of said openable portion to weaken said end closure adjacent said openable portion, said score extending around said openable portion except at one part thereof whereby said one part hinges said assembled portion to said end closure after said openable portion has said'other part thereof separated from said end closure by said opening means having been moved to said other position thereof.

20. .An end closure as set forth in claim 19 wherein said opening means has handle means extending therefrom for facilitating movement of said opening means from said one position thereof to said other position thereof.

21. .A method for making an easy-open means for a container or the like comprising the steps of providing a wall means for said container or the like, providing an openable portion on said wall means, providing an opening means, and movably mounting said opening means to said Wall means so that an edge means of said opening means is cooperable with said openable portion to separate at least part of said openable portion from said wall means upon movement of said opening means from one position thereof to another position thereof whereby said separated part of said openable portion will define an opening through said wall means for product dispensing purposes and the like.

22. A method as set forth in claim 21 and wherein said step of mounting said opening means to said wall means causes a portion of said opening means to be superimposed on part of said opening to provide spacing means between the lips of the user and the edge of the opening when said opening means is in said other position thereof.

23. A method as set forth in claim 21 wherein said step of mounting said opening means to said wall means includes the step of rotatably mounting said opening means to said wall means.

24. A method as set forth in claim 21 and including the steps of providing a recess means in said wall means with said recess means surrounding said openable portion, and mounting said opening means in said recess means so as to be movable therein from said one position thereof to said other position thereof.

25. A method as set forth in claim 24 and including the step of forming portion means of said wall means over said opening means to hold said opening means in said recess means while permitting relative movement between said opening means and said wall means.

26. A method as set forth in claim 25 and including the steps of forming aperture means through said opening means so that said aperture means defines said edge means thereof, and mounting said opening means to said wall means so that said openable portion of said wall means initially projects through said aperture means when said opening meanst is in said one position thereof.

27. A method as set forth in claim 26 wherein said step of providing said openable portion includes the step of providing an outer continuous peripheral side wall means on said openable portion and wherein said step of providing said opening means includes the step of providing a continuous edge means on said opening means that engages said side wall means throughout the length thereof when said opening means is in said one position thereof.

28. A method as set forth in claim 27 and including the step of weakening said wall means adjacent said side wall means of said openable portion.

29. A method as set forth in claim 28 wherein said step of weakening said wall means includes the step of forming a score in said Wall means with said score being disposed coplanar with said side wall means of said open. able portion to weaken said wall means adjacent said opena'ole portion, said last-named step causing said score to extend around said openable portion except at one part thereof whereby said one part will hinge said openable portion to said wall means after said openable portion has said other part thereof separated from said wall means by said opening means having been moved to said other position thereof.

3% A method as set forth in claim 29 and including References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1964 Rivas 22G27 12/1964 Stull 222-153 "l -HERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

GEORGE T. HALL, Examiner. 

1. A CONTAINER HAVING WALL MEANS DEFINING A CHAMBER THEREIN FOR CONTAINING PRODUCT MEANS, SAID WALL MEANS HAVING AN OPENABLE PORTION, AND OPENING MEANS MOVABLY CARRIED BY SAID WALL MEANS AND HAVING EDGE MEANS COOPERABLE WITH SAID OPENABLE PORTION TO SEPARATE AT LEAST PART OF SAID OPENABLE PORTION FROM SAID WALL MEANS UPON MOVEMENT OF SAID OPENING MEANS FROM ONE POSITION THEREOF TO ANOTHER POSITION THEREOF WHEREBY SAID SEPARATED PART OF SAID OPENABLE PORTION DEFINES AN OPENING THROUGH SAID WALL MEANS FOR DISPENSING SAID PRODUCT MEANS FROM SAID CHAMBER. 